The 6-ft-2 220 pound Jones was projected as a first round pick in the 1973 NFL draft, and ended up being picked with the 2nd pick overall by the Baltimore Colts. Jones took over the starting QB spot in 1974, and led the Colts to 3 straight AFC Eastern Division titles from 1975-1977. Unfortunately, Jones and the Colts ran up against even better teams in those 3 years (the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1975 and 1976 and the Oakland Raiders in 1977), and lost in the first round of the playoffs each year.

Things turned sour for Jones in 1978 however. Back and shoulder injuries took their toll, and Jones missed 13 out of 16 games that year. His troubles continued in 1979, missing 12 more games and the Colts tumbled into last place in the division.

Jones made a impressive comeback from his injuries in 1980 and 1981 finishing 15 games each year, but he played with increasing back pain while doing so. Jones went to the Los Angeles Rams in 1981 but only played 4 games before retiring due to now chronic back problems.

Before his injuries got to him in 1978, Bert Jones was one of the best quarterbacks of his era. He received MVP and Pro Bowl honors in 1976, and in 1974 set the record for consecutive completetions in one game with 17 in 1974. (This record has since been broken). While he only played for 10 years, Bert Jones definitely left his mark with the fans in Baltimore.